Boston Grants Ascend Massachusetts Approval to Open the First Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Store

BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascend Massachusetts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascend Wellness Holdings (AWH), announced today that it was awarded the first conditional-use permit for adult-use cannabis retail sales in the city of Boston. The flagship store will be the first adult-use retailer to operate within a major East Coast metropolitan city.

Boston Grants Ascend Massachusetts Approval to Open the First Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Store

During the planning phase, Ascend garnered widespread support among the Boston community and state leaders. The historic project received letters of support from State Senator Joseph Boncore (D); State Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D); Boston City Councilors Josh Zakim and Ed Flynn; The Downtown North Business Association; as well as a letter of non-opposition from the West End Civic Association.

The future site of the first urban, adult-use retail store will be located at 272 Friend Street, in the heart of downtown Boston, close to Fanueil Hall and TD Garden. Ascend's multi-story flagship store will be a unique and innovative benchmark location for the Massachusetts cannabis industry.

"Ascend Massachusetts is honored to be chosen as the first company awarded a license for an adult-use retail store by the city of Boston," said Andrea Cabral, CEO of Ascend Massachussetts. "A core value of our company is to positively impact our neighborhoods and communities. We are proud to have the support of leaders and organizations across Boston and Massachusetts in this endeavor."

"We are proud of the work that Andrea and her team did to secure and plan our location," says Abner Kurtin, CEO of AWH. "We are gratified by the confidence the City of Boston has in Ascend Massachusetts to create best-in-practice and best-in-class adult-use retail for the Boston community."

The Andrus Group, an award-winning design firm, was chosen to manage construction on the project. The company has extensive experience creating high-volume concept stores in popular metropolitan areas. Former design projects include high-trafficked, urban concept stores for Apple, Tesla and Burberry. The future flagship store for Ascend Massachusetts will bring together innovation and education to create a unique and engaging in-store experience for adult consumers.

"We're pleased to partner with Ascend Massachusetts to create the first-of-its-kind adult-use store in Boston," said James Andrus, principal at The Andrus Group. "This is a unique project that builds upon our experience in creating highly visited retail locations that serve the needs of tourists, consumers and the community."

The Ascend Massachusetts flagship store is expected to open in late 2019.

About Ascend Wellness HoldingsAWH is a vertically integrated cannabis company operating in Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. Ascend is redefining the cannabis retail experience, offering a customer-centric environment and a curated selection of products with effect-based categorization. Ascend will also operate a large-scale indoor cultivation facility in Massachusetts.